English: Pair of embroidered leather gloves

1615-1625
England
Leather (kidskin) embroidered with silk and silver-gilt thread

Gloves could serve several purposes in early 17th century Britain, apart from the obvious ones of protection and warmth. Many were solely decorative, to display the wealth and status of their owner. They were worn in the hat or belt, as well as carried in the hand. Gloves were popular as gifts and were exchanged as a gesture of engagement or wedding present. In combat, a glove was thrown down as a gage, or challenge.

Decorative gloves were popular with England�s working class. In 1618 Horatio Busini, chaplain to the Venetian ambassador to England, wrote disapprovingly in a report on English customs: �all wear very costly gloves. This fashion of gloves is so universal that even the porters wear them very ostentatiously.�

The decoration of this pair is characteristic of the period 1615 to 1625 with couched embroidery in a stylised pattern and fringe of metal thread.